Compressed air-operated gun

ABSTRACT

A launching device for clay pigeons and other projectiles comprising a tube preferably incurved over most of its length, the projectiles being forced through the tube by means of compressed gas, and one of the inner surfaces of the wall of the tube having a coefficient of friction greater than the others so that the projectile is caused to rotate thus imparting a more stable flight to it after it has left the tube.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Pierre Culas 152 Boulevard Poincare, Juan Les Pins, France [21 Appl. No. 748,567

[22] Filed July 29, 1968 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [32] Priority Sept. 19, 1967 [33] France [31 21980 [54] COMPRESSED AIR-OPERATED GUN 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

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[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,220,398 11/1965 Martin et al. 124/30 X 1,204,282 11/1916 Lake 1 1 89/14 1,187,218 6/1916 Wister. 42/1 2,997,039 8/1961 Fehn t 1 124/42 X 3,018,769 1/1962 Parsoneault 124/30 X 3,288,127 11/1966 Bullock 124/30 X Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-William Anthony Drucker ABSTRACT: A launching device for clay pigeons and other projectiles comprising a tube preferably incurved over most of its length, the projectiles being forced through the tube by means of compressed gas, and one of the inner surfaces of the wall of the tube having a coefficient of friction greater than the others so that the projectile is caused to rotate thus impart ing a more stable flight to it after it has left the tube.

PATENTED JUL20 I97! 3,593 59 INVliN'l PIERRE CULAS COMPRESSED AIR-OPERATED GUN The invention consists of the construction of a launching device for pigeon shooting and similar activities, making it possible to launch projectiles and similar objects on a specific trajectory.

Its aim is to enable compressed air or any other compressed gas to be used as the propelling agent.

It features the means used, taken either together or separately, and in particular a launching ramp for circular projectiles making it possible to use the thrust from a compressed gas distributed through a valve with automatic opening and closure; the incurved shape of the ramp, one wall of which is made up of a facing with a specific coefficient of adherence makes the projectile rotate and the resultant gyroscopic effect ensures a stable trajectory.

In the attached drawings, given as nonlimiting examples of one of the forms of construction of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the device containing a clay pigeon ready for launching;

FIG. 2 is a transversal section view of the launching ramp, showing a side view of the clay pigeon inside it.

The device is made up of a rigid mounting I, incurved in shape, but preferably with an ellipsoidal curve, with a rectilinear sector 2 at the end.

The bottom 3 is smooth and flat, while the cover 4 is profiled inside so as to fit the shape of the projectile 5, at the same time leaving an interstitial space.

The side of the cover with the largest curve radius is fitted with a shoulder 6 which forms the projectile s runway.

This shoulder may be made up of a suitable facing facilitating adherence of the projectile against the runway.

The end 7 of the launching ramp is open while the opposite end 8 is tight and is connected to an intake valve for compressed gas 9 which opens and closes automatically.

The advantages and working of this device are immediately apparent.

It contains no springs or moving mechanical parts such as are included in standard launching devices. Consequently, wear and tear is practically nil and no maintenance is needed.

lts working is simple.

The projectile having been inserted up to the end 8 of the tubular ramp, on the outlet" side of the compressed air (position shown in FIG. 1), air is let in by opening the valve 9.

The clay pigeon, which behaves under air pressure like a piston in a cylinder (FIG. 2) is projected beyond the ramp at high speed, and at the same time the valve 9 closes.

Due to the incurved shape of the ramp, the projectile, as it runs along it, bears heavily on the shoulder 6 and rolls along the facing which forms it.

The projectile thus rotates quickly enough to make it stable over the whole of its trajectory through the air, as a result of the gyroscopic effect.

The propelling agent is a compressed gas, and the thrust on the projectile is gradual and elastic, contrary to devices using a spring the thrust of which is transmitted to the projectile by a rigid launching-bar. Under these circumstances, and especially when comparatively fragile clay pigeons are to be launched, the compressed gas makes it possible to exercise substantially greater thrust on the projectile without breaking it.

Faster, longer and more stable trajectories can thus be achieved.

The launching force can easily be adjusted by varying either the pressure of the compressed gas or the amount let into the ramp at each launching, or both.

This device, designed in particular for launching clay pigeons, can be used for any other projectile of the same kind which is circular in shape.

Nevertheless, the shapes, dimensions and positioning of the various units may vary within the limits of the equivalents, as may the materials used to make them, without thereby departing from the general concept of the invention just described.

lclaim:

l. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles comprising a curved flat hollow track into which the projectile to be launched is placed, said track member being closed at one end and open at the other, and having means for admitting compressed gas into the closed end of said track, said track member being provided with a runway of frictional material extending along the interior wall of the track which has the larger radius of curvature, said track member closely encircling the projectile so as to prevent the escape of compressed gas around the projectile, the coefficient of friction of the frictional material being such as to cause a projectile to rotate when the latter is moved along the frictional material.

2. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectile is circular in plan and has a running edge which enters into frictional engagement with the runway.

3. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is provided with valve means at its closed end, said valve means permitting compressed gas into said tubular member in order to launch a projectile.

4. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve means is adjustable. 

1. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles comprising a curved flat hollow track into which the projectile to be launched is placed, said track member being closed at one end and open at the other, and having means for admitting compressed gas into the closed end of said track, said track member being provided with a runway of frictional material extending along the interior wall of the track which has the larger radius of curvature, said track member closely encircling the projectile so as to prevent the escape of compressed gas around the projectile, the coefficient of friction of the frictional material being such as to cause a projectile to rotate when the latter is moved along the frictional material.
 2. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectile is circular in plan and has a running edge which enters into frictional engagement with the runway.
 3. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is provided with valve means at its closed end, said valve means permitting compressed gas into said tubular member in order to launch a projectile.
 4. A device for launching clay pigeons and other projectiles as claimed in claim 3 wherein said valve means is adjustable. 